Philip IV 8 Reales 1636 (Aqueduct)-R MS64 NGC, Segovia mint, KM39.6, Cay-6320, Cal-1176 (prev. Cal-578). Choice Mint State with impressively lustrous and clean surfaces for the issue, along with a slightly wavy planchet, as often seen on this large type minted from coin-rolling mills. Razor sharp throughout the designs, illuminated by a sheen of argent brilliance that highlights appealing and original surface texturing resulting from the production process at this state-of-the-art mint of its age. An enchanting example of this scarce type, conditionally rare and eminently desirable in this superb preservation. The introduction of this minting method represented a giant technical leap for the Spanish kingdom and was implemented at the new Segovia Mint (Real Ingenio de Segovia), the construction of which started under Philip II on November 7, 1583 and included mills built at the Hall Mint near Innsbruck (Austria). The Real Ingenio would begin regular operations in 1586 and the coins produced herein represented the peak of Spanish minting art. While obviously not as striking as the large multiples cincuentines of 50 Reales or centenes of 100 Escudos, this 8 Reales is nevertheless a testimony to that technical skill. Ex. Heritage Auction #3037 (January 2015, Lot 31307)

HID09801242017

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